A projecting growth from a surface in the body, such as the large bowel. Most polyps are benign, but they can become malignant….

A disease that increases the risk of developing bowel cancer. Previously called hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)….

An operation that connects the small bowel to a surgically created opening (stoma) in the abdomen.

A benign condition that causes polyps to form in the large bowel. The polyps will become cancerous if untreated.

A liquid solution that washes out the bowel.

…inserted into different cavities in the body for a close examination. They are often named after the part of the body they are designed to examine, such as a laryngoscope for the larynx and a colonoscopy to examine the bowel….

An examination of the large bowel with a camera on a flexible tube (endoscope), which is passed through the anus.

See bowel cancer.

An internal pouch surgically created using the lining of the large bowel. It may be formed during an ultra-low anterior resection.

The main working area of the large bowel, where water is removed from solid waste. Its four parts are the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon.